Chester man facing scam charges in property rental

UPPER DARBY -- Federal authorities have joined in the investigation into an alleged scam of renting out a foreclosed property, officials said.

Damond Palmer, 38, of the 2500 block of Peoples Street, Chester, waived a preliminary hearing Wednesday for allegedly renting out a foreclosed house on Parkview Avenue, in the Highland Park section of the township.

"We're working with federal authorities on this case," police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. "This is a national problem, not just here in Upper Darby. They walk right in to a foreclosed home, say they are a sovereign citizen, that's what they claim they are, and that they have a right to the property. It's a foreclosed property and they rent it out to people and they don't pay taxes. It's just a scam. It's a fairly significant operation throughout Pennsylvania. That's what they do. It's a total scam and they file notice of claim. This needs a federal overview."

Police were summoned to the Parkview house on Aug. 1 by the listing Realtor after finding Palmer inside the residence.

Advertisement

Palmer told the Realtor, "He is a Native American, had sovereign immunity from the laws of the government and had every right to take possession of the house," Criminal Investigator Philip Lydon wrote in the affidavit. "The witness noticed a 'private sovereign' notice posted on the inside of the front window."

Palmer allegedly made arrangements to rent the property to four persons who agreed to a $2,000 downpayment and $500 monthly payments.

All four victims moved into the house after receiving a lease and a key and prior to making any monetary payments, Lydon wrote in the affidavit.

According to Lydon, the tenants found the rental property listing on craigslist.org.

"The victim contacted the number listed (on craigslist) and began speaking with a male Karim Abdul with a first name of Damond," Lydon wrote in the document. "The two had established that the victim would rent a property from Damond at 7633 Parkview Ave. The four victims (renters) met with Damond at the house to look at the property and Damond produced a lease.

"The contract cited Steven S. Ibn-Hameed as the lessor and the victims as the lessees. Victim one stated that she and the other three victims as well as Damond signed that form entering into what they believed to be a lawful agreement."

Chitwood identified Ibn-Hameed as the alleged leader.

Lydon also interviewed the Premier Real Estate listing agent for the property who disclosed the existence of a contract with Wells Fargo Bank.

"The witness stated when he arrived to do a property check he found the 'For Sale' sign posted by Premier had been removed and it appeared the property was occupied," Lydon wrote in the affidavit.

While Palmer was being questioned police received a fax from Ibn-Hameed allegedly claiming ownership of the property and paperwork was submitted to the county's Recorder of Deeds.

On Aug. 2, Lydon contacted the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds to verify ownership and determined Wells Fargo Bank was the lessee for the property after receiving transfer from the holder of a mortgage in default.

Lydon was informed paperwork was received from Ibn-Hameed allegedly claiming ownership and the document was filed under miscellaneous document in the courthouse.

Palmer, represented by public defender John McGlaughlin, waived charges of criminal trespass, theft by deception, forgery, tampering with records, securing execution of documents by deception and motor vehicle violations for lack of registration, lack of insurance and driving while operating privilege is suspended.

The charge of burglary was withdrawn in exchange for the waiver and a nontrial disposition.

McGlaughlin informed the judge Palmer has six children and is expecting another child in his request for a bail reduction from $50,000 cash to 10 percent of $25,000.

Magisterial District Judge Ann Berardocco denied the bail reduction request after Assistant District Attorney Jessica Conley asked that it remain the same.

Arraignment is Oct. 11 in Media Courthouse.

Palmer previously waived charges in June in Aston District Court for criminal conspiracy and criminal trespass for a similar incident in April at an alleged foreclosed residential property on Green Lane, Aston.

Arraignment in Media Courthouse on that charge was July 19. No other information on the Aston case was available.